Haaks

Haaks — a 1964 Van Lent spitsgat kotter
She was drawn by Aad Volker in 1964. A heavy, sea-going kotter built for the kind of voyages that ask something of a boat — 15.30 by 4.30 metres, with a draft of 1.30, and the unmistakable Volker line running through every plank. Built by C. van Lent in Kaag under hull number 671, and launched as Pontos.
She has earned her miles. Over the decades, she carried her owners to Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, and Spain, and every one of those coastlines left a trace in her character.

In 2018, our paths crossed. By then I had already been building round-bilge tenders to Aad Volker’s own designs, so meeting one of his bigger sisters felt like a quiet kind of fate.

She sails today as Haaks. We took her down to the bones and gave her a full refit: the fore and aft sections were stripped and re-fitted from the inside out, the teak deck was lifted, the gangways and deck plating were shot-blasted, treated with a two-component primer, and then dressed once again in fresh teak.
In 2022, we repainted hull and superstructure. For the hull we chose a more modern shade — ocean blue — and it suits her.
She is a true Van Lent. Wherever she lies, she draws compliments from sailors with an eye for beauty and elegance.
We sail her as often as we can. Salt water is where she belongs — Zeeland, the coast, and the Wadden.